Essentials

While there are lots of great accessories to enhance your shamisen experience, the items in Essentials are the most important for making your shamisen playable. If you’re getting a new shamisen and it doesn’t include accessories, you will definitely want to check out Essentials and get one Koma, one Bachi, one Neo, an Ito Set Pack, and a Yubikake. Also, a Doukake, Dou Gomu, and Fujaku are highly recommended. (links to all) It’s also worth checking out categories like “Cases and Fukuro” and “Scorebooks and Media” to enhance your experience, but it’s not required.
  • Want to represent Bachido on your wooden bachi? Now you…
    Want to represent Bachido on your wooden bachi? Now you can! This is a standard Wooden Bachi (Oak) with the Bachido logo laser-cut into the handle. Sexy time!
  • Keep your skin protected with the adhesive bachigawa! (Note: Ideal…
    Keep your skin protected with the adhesive bachigawa! (Note: Ideal for natural skin. Doesn't adhere to Hibiki synthetic skin very well)
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • The second string on the shamisen (which is the middle…
    The second string on the shamisen (which is the middle string). Fujiito brand - Tetron (synthetic).  
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • San no Ito (Fujiito) string. The thinnest string. Material –…
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • The second string on the shamisen (which is the middle…
    The second string on the shamisen (which is the middle string). Gintsuki brand. Can be used for Tsugaru, Jiuta, and Nagauta style. Sold as a pack of two strings.
  • The third string on the shamisen (which is the thinnest…
    The third string on the shamisen (which is the thinnest string). Gintsuki brand. Can be used for Nagauta style and Jiuta style (and technically Tsugaru style as well, but note that the aggressive style might break the silk strings quickly). Sold as a pack of five silk strings.
  • The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest…
    The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest of the three). Fujiito brand, material is silk, and it's available in sizes for both Tsugaru and Nagauta styles.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • The second string on the shamisen (which is the middle…
    The second string on the shamisen (which is the middle string). Gokujo brand. Can be used for Tsugaru, Jiuta, and Nagauta style. Sold as a pack of two strings.
  • Fujaku

    $10.00
    The adhesive position mark strip which shows the position locations…
    The adhesive position mark strip which shows the position locations for playing melodies from notation. Simply match the number shown in your notation with the number on the fujaku, press the string on that number, and enjoy! An truly invaluable accessory for beginners.
  • This desiccant pouch is meant to remove moisture from the…
    This desiccant pouch is meant to remove moisture from the Manyo sheet (which in turn is meant to remove moisture from the natural skin on shamisen) once it becomes saturated with moisture. To use, put both the "Manyo Desiccant Pouch" and “Manyo: Advanced Moisture Control” sheet inside a plastic bag in order for the pouch to effectively remove moisture from the sheet.
  • This adhesive rubber pad is very useful. Attach it to…
    This adhesive rubber pad is very useful. Attach it to the lower corner of your dou in order to prevent the dou from sliding off your thigh!
  • The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest…
    The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest of the three). Gintsuki brand, material is silk, and it's available in size for Tsugaru style only.
  • The third string on the shamisen (which is the thinnest…
    The third string on the shamisen (which is the thinnest string). Gokujo brand. Can be used for Nagauta style and Jiuta style (and technically Tsugaru style as well, but note that the aggressive style might break the silk strings quickly). Sold as a pack of five silk strings.
  • Saofuki

    $12.00
    The Saofuki is a microfiber cloth used for wiping the…
    The Saofuki is a microfiber cloth used for wiping the sao and bachi after playing sessions. It pulls away any dust or dirt buildup and keeps the sao sparkling! Available in a variety of colors.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Neighbors keeping your sound levels down? Desperately wanting to play…
    Neighbors keeping your sound levels down? Desperately wanting to play shamisen now but still recovering from that hangover? The shinobi koma (Stealth Bridge) is made for you! Replacing your normal koma with the Shinobi Koma will lower the sound level tremendously.  
  • This is the Tsugaru Ito Set (Fujiito). They are the…
    This is the Tsugaru Ito Set (Fujiito). They are the most common string used for shamisen. It’s considered to be average quality for ‘practice use’, but I use them for performance and nobody notices the difference!
  • The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest…
    The first string on the shamisen (which is the thickest of the three). Gokujo brand, material is silk, and it's available in size for Tsugaru style only. Contains one string.  
  • A rubber webbing for your bachi handle. An essential accessory…
    A rubber webbing for your bachi handle. An essential accessory if you have difficulty with the bachi slipping while you play.
  • It's just what you think it is, a cute lil'…
    It's just what you think it is, a cute lil' shamisen for your keychain!
  • One set of strings for Nagauta style. Contains one silk…
    One set of strings for Nagauta style. Contains one silk Ichi no ito, one silk ni no ito, and one nylon san no ito.
  • The Yubikake is a tightly knit sleeve (made by machine)…
    The Yubikake is a tightly knit sleeve (made by machine) which is fitted over the index finger and thumb. When playing shamisen, the friction of your skin rubs against the neck, making it hard to play. The Yubikake adds a layer between your hand and the neck, reducing friction and making playing much easier.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Yubikake (Hand Knit)

    $15.00$18.00
    Small: 3.2cm wide x 7.8cm long Medium: 3.3cm wide x…
    Small: 3.2cm wide x 7.8cm long Medium: 3.3cm wide x 8.0cm long Large: 3.7cm wide x 9.0cm long
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Want a little extra personality on your fingerpants? These handmade…
    Want a little extra personality on your fingerpants? These handmade in Japan yubikake feature a decorative ornament on the finger loop. The ornament doesn't directly improve sound quality, but my friends (yes, I do have them!) tell me it looks super cute!
  • Like a desiccants, the Manyo is a pad used to…
    Like a desiccants, the Manyo is a pad used to maintain the dryness of natural skin on shamisen. (It's not required for synthetic skins)
  • This is a required item for shamisen, it is the…
    This is a required item for shamisen, it is the tailpiece which the strings are tied to. The Neo is fitted on the end of the shamisen, and it is made from Rayon.
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This is a very special set of ito made by…
    This is a very special set of ito made by Marusan Hishimoto Co. (the most trusted maker of shamisen strings, and the only brand of string I sell in the Bachido Store) In the Tsugaru Ito Set - Black all strings are dyed black and look very striking against a white shamisen skin. Just be careful when playing shamisen in the dark!
  • This is a very special set of ito made by…
    This is a very special set of ito made by Marusan Hishimoto Co. (the most trusted maker of shamisen strings, and the only brand of string I sell in the Bachido Store) All strings are dyed red and look very striking against a white shamisen skin.
  • The Gokujo ito are the considered to be the highest…
    The Gokujo ito are the considered to be the highest quality string for shamisen, and ideal for stage use. Note: The ichi no ito will not fit in a nagauta/jiuta shamisen, as the diameter of the string holes in the itomaki are smaller. It can be done if you widen the string hole first, but I've tried using such a thick string on a nagauta shamisen as an experiment, and feel that the tone of the thinner string balances much better with the smaller size of the nagauta shamisen.
  • This is a full plastic koma with a height and…
    This is a full plastic koma with a height and shape typical for nagauta style. Note: Plastic koma are known for not sounding as good as koma made from bamboo, kouki, or anything else. We're offering it for those who specifically require it for nagauta style, but if you aren't formally pursuing that style, I'd highly recommend choosing any other koma.
  • This is a double-length Ichi no Ito (the first string…
    This is a double-length Ichi no Ito (the first string on the shamisen, which is the thickest of the three). There is a red mark in the middle of the string length, indicating where the string can be cut in half.
  • Ironically, although the plastic bachi is the most affordable bachi…
    Ironically, although the plastic bachi is the most affordable bachi available, it isn't the easiest for beginners due to it's extreme hardness. That being said, it is usable and better than nothing!
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and…
    This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and a bone-tipped saddle. While it is technically sized for Tsugaru style, it can be used with any shamisen type.
  • This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and…
    This koma is made with a bamboo (Madake) base and a bone saddle. While it is technically sized for Tsugaru style, it can be used with any shamisen type.
  • This is the cheapest koma available, both in price and…
    This is the cheapest koma available, both in price and quality. It's okay if it's all you can afford, but the tone and strength of koma made with bamboo or wood (or anything other than plastic koma) are far superior, and worth the extra cost.
  • Shamisen of Japan

    $39.00$69.00
    Shamisen of Japan teaches you how to professionally play and…
    Shamisen of Japan teaches you how to professionally play and make the Tsugaru Shamisen, simply and enjoyably! Shamisen of Japan is a valuable resource for both the beginner and the shamisen enthusiast! Ships from California.
    • Pages: 165
    • Size: 8½″×11″×½″
    • Binding: Paperback
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page Details
  • Be free of chairs and seiza (sitting on your legs)…
    Be free of chairs and seiza (sitting on your legs) position with a guitar strap! While a guitar strap can be tied to your shamisen, I highly recommend installing Schaller Strap Locks if you're comfortable with drilling holes in your shamisen dou. Strap locks are perfect for keeping your strap securely locked in place.
Go to Top